From Alumni Leaders to Philanthropic Advocates: Building a Pathway from Alumni Boards to Foundation Boards
Tracks
Philanthropy
| Monday, January 12, 2026 |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| 208 |
Overview
208
Details
Alumni boards often serve as a training ground for future philanthropic leaders, providing opportunities for alumni to engage, build affinity, and develop governance experience. This session will explore how alumni relations professionals can intentionally cultivate alumni board members to prepare them for service on higher-level philanthropic foundation boards. The presentation will highlight strategies for identifying potential leaders, fostering a culture of giving and engagement, and aligning alumni board service with the long-term needs of the foundation. Participants will gain insights into how this pipeline approach strengthens both alumni engagement and philanthropic board development across the CSU.
Speaker
Michael Arteaga
Senior Alumni Relations Officer
CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation
From Alumni Leaders to Philanthropic Advocates: Building a Pathway from Alumni Boards to Foundation Boards
Abstract
Alumni boards often serve as a training ground for future philanthropic leaders, providing opportunities for alumni to engage, build affinity, and develop governance experience. This session will explore how alumni relations professionals can intentionally cultivate alumni board members to prepare them for service on higher-level philanthropic foundation boards. The presentation will highlight strategies for identifying potential leaders, fostering a culture of giving and engagement, and aligning alumni board service with the long-term needs of the foundation. Participants will gain insights into how this pipeline approach strengthens both alumni engagement and philanthropic board development across the CSU.
Biography
Dr. Mike Arteaga serves as the Senior Alumni Relations Officer at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), where he provides strategic leadership for alumni engagement initiatives, including mentoring, professional networking, volunteer programs, and signature campus events. In this role, he advances alumni board development, oversees digital engagement platforms, and fosters partnerships that strengthen alumni connections to the university. He also represents CSUSB on high-level committees such as Commencement, Homecoming, and the Social Justice Summit.
Mike brings more than a decade of experience in higher education, student success, and alumni engagement. He previously served as the Interim Associate Director of Alumni Relations at CSUSB, where he directed mentoring programs, student engagement initiatives, and alumni recognition events. Earlier in his career, he held leadership and advisory roles with the Inland Empire Job Corps, the Osher Adult Re-entry Center, and the Santos Manuel Student Union, while also serving as Executive Vice President of Associated Students, Inc.
Crystal Wymer-Lucero
Director of Alumni Relations
CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation
From Alumni Leaders to Philanthropic Advocates: Building a Pathway from Alumni Boards to Foundation Boards
Biography
Dr. Crystal A. Wymer‑Lucero is the Director of Alumni Relations at California State University, San Bernardino, and brings over two decades of experience in public higher education. A proud two‑time alumna, she holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in integrated marketing from CSUSB—and in 2025, earned her doctorate, with her dissertation centered on engaging alumni in student recruitment. Crystal leads strategic alumni engagement efforts, managing volunteer leadership programs, regional outreach, alumni marketing, and digital campaigns that serve more than 130,000 CSUSB alumni worldwide. Under Crystal's leadership - alumni volunteer participation has increased nearly 400% since 2015, the Alumni Workshop Series reached over 400 unique alumni, and the Alumni Mentor Program grew nearly 200%.
Crystal’s work has garnered national recognition, including industry awards for alumni relations programming. She also holds a leadership role as Programs Committee Chair on the CSU Alumni Council.